Toy parachute



Feb. 6, 1940. J SCHMALZ 2,189,085

Toir PARACHUTE Filed Oct. 29, 1958 IKV/Z/of gym Patented Feb. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY PARACHUTE John Schmalz, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 29, 1938, Serial No. 237,701

.1 Claim.

This invention relatesto improvements in toy parachutes.

The toy parachutes known and in use require an additional and complete propelling device, like a bow or a sling-shot, for shooting the toy into the air; and the toy parachute thus does not provide a complete toy in itself which can be economically manufactured, and marketed; but such toys thereby become expensive and curtail the introduction and the use thereof. Such toy parachutes usually also require that a heavy guide shaft or guide member be shot along up into the air, and thus furthermore become heavy so as to greatly curtail the ascent of the parachute and then cause too rapid a descent.

It is' an object of this invention to provide an improved toy parachute which includes its own propelling means in a simple and inexpensive manner and the toyis complete in itself as well as inexpensive, and can thus be easily marketed and brought intoextensive use.

' A further object of this invention is to arrange and construct this toy parachute of a minimum of light members and parts, and.wherein the'weight 'member carried up with the parachute will be light and only of sufiicient, weight to, open the parachute; in order that the device may easily be shot up to a considerable elevation, and will then float down slowly and gracefully.

These and various other objects and advantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the invention is shown in its preferred form, it being understood that various other arrangements and forms of construction may be adopted for carrying out the objects and purposes of this invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating this invention in its preferred form, showing in broken lines how the body, having the parachute folded thereon, may be moved along the guide shaft for shooting the device into the air.

Fig. 2 is a partial side View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on'line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

50 Fig. 5 is an elevational view showing the device in its floating or suspended position. i

In the drawing this invention is illustrated in its preferred form of construction, comprising a parachute l0 which is preferably made from a sheet of thin flexible material, such as silk or fabric or other thin and strong material. It is made of a suitable size and shape, being shown in the form of an angular sheet which has cords ll extending from its outer edge portions or corners 12, said cords having their depending 5 ends joined together on an extension I3.

A weight member I4, which is preferably in the form of an oblong body of light material, such as wood, is carried by the parachute, and has the cords connected thereto, asby means of 10 a staple or element I5 secured in said body and having the cords attached thereto by means of the extension l3.

A guide member [6 is provided, which is preferably in the form of a slender shaft, as for example a wooden stick; and the body I4 is provided with cooperating guide'means which is preferably in the shape of a guide channel I! extending longitudinally thru the body and adapted to fit loosely on the shaft so that the body may be slid freely thereon.

Suitable means is further provided as a part of this invention whereby the parachute is adapted to be propelled into the air, and this means comprisesa flexible member [8 which is attached to the body and is preferably in the form of an extendible member, such as an elastic band, which has its ends secured to opposite exterior parts of the body, as by means of staples l9, while its intermediate part or bight portion. [8 extends beyond the end of the body, as shown in. the drawing. I

In operating this toy parachute, as best shown in Fig. 1, the sheet of material is folded together into a small parcel, with the cords preferably 35 placed around the same, and it is then placed against the body [4, so as to be held between the body and the flexible member [8. The shaft has a notch 20 on one end, and said end is extended thru channel I1 so that the intermediate part I8 40 of flexible member I8 is engaged insaid notch, as shown in full lines in Fig.1. While the shaft, is held in one hand 2| the body I4 is engaged with the other hand 22, and said body along with its folded parachute is then drawndown along guide shaft l6, as shown in broken lines in said Fig. 1. Then, upon releasing the body, it with the folded parachute and the propelling member will be shot from the shaft for a sub- .stantial distance upward into the air, due to the 50 light weight and the construction of this device, and it will then float or descend slowly and gracefully to the ground.

A toy parachute consisting of a sheet of thin and held innplacetagainst the main part i of the body by rneans of the band, and a guide shaft slidable in said channel, its one end being adapted to engage the intermediate part of the band while its other end is held in the hand, whereby to,

slide the body with the other hand along the shaft and extend the band, for shooting the body with the band and the parachute held securely folded therebetween a substantial distance into the air.

, JOHN .SCHMALZ. 

